Past research

Development of an accurate protocol for evaluating corn hybrids for ethanol production; utilization of sweet sorghum as a feedstock for ethanol production; evaluation of high fermentable corn hybrids in Kentucky; ethanol and electricity potential of switchgrass in Kentucky; developing a biomass energy crop trial for renewable energy production.

Development of an accurate protocol for evaluating corn hybrids for ethanol production; evaluation of high fermentable corn hybrids in Kentucky; evaluation of high-value traits for corn in Kentucky; evaluating soil fertility recommendations in terms of corn grain quality; insect pest management for optimization of end-use quality and yield in high-oil corn; new no-till corn silage opportunities in Kentucky; nitrogen: a new crop for Kentucky corn producers.

A risk management analysis of low phytate corn in Kentucky; a whole farm management profit and risk model; an econometric assessment of specialty grain crops in Kentucky; analyzing the profit and risk potential of new crop varieties; economic evaluation of identity-preserved grains; an economic evaluation of nonGMO corn and nonGMO soybeans; whole farm analysis of edamame production in Kentucky.

Cut roses for Christmas and Valentine's Day from cuttings; evaluation of high tunnels for winter production of specialty greens in Kentucky; evaluation of pesticide-free insect control for flower, fruit and vegetable transplants with nitrogen gas fumigation; management of the thermal environment of high tunnel and tobacco greenhouses in Kentucky; optimizing organic production of select small fruits using high tunnels; annualized perennial production: An untapped opportunity for Kentucky's greenhouse growers.

Development of a novel production system to enhance the survival and growth of flowering dogwood, Cornus florida; evaluation of cultural practices for container production of tropical flowering woody vines in Kentucky; optimizing pot-in-pot nursery production for Kentucky growers; Rudy Haag burning bush as a non-invasive alternative to current burning bush cultivars for Kentucky nursery production; sustainable management of insect pests and diseases of nursery-grown maples in Kentucky; underutililzed landscape plants and native plants; Hydrangea macrophylla for cut stems for the florist trade; optimizing pot-in-pot nursery production for Kentucky growers

Organic grain cropping systems research initiative; development of organic blueberry production and value-added products; developing optimized organic production systems for leafy greens in Kentucky; organic apple orchard establishment; optimizing organic production of select small fruits using high tunnels; optimizing romaine lettuce production in Kentucky; developing an optimized organic production system to control cucumber beetles in cucurbits; developing optimized organic production systems for leafy greens in Kentucky; developing organic apple thinning agents for Kentucky fruit growers; development of organic production systems for horticultural crops in Kentucky; evaluating crop and soil fertility changes during transition to an organic vegetable production system; evaluating the sustainability of two widely used organic production systems and their potential use in Kentucky; evaluation of natural sprays for control of economically important foliar and fruit diseases of tomato and cucurbits; no-till cropping systems for organic and sustainable corn and soybean production.

Developing optimized organic production systems for leafy greens in Kentucky; development of organic production systems for horticultural crops in Kentucky; optimizing romaine lettuce production in Kentucky; bacterial spot resistance, yields and quality in bell and specialty peppers; developing an optimized organic production system to control cucumber beetles in cucurbits; disease resistance, yield, and quality in priority vegetable crops for Kentucky; evaluation of the potential of Capsicum baccatum for production of high-value gourmet products and novel ornamental landscape plants; evaluation of high tunnels for winter production of specialty greens in Kentucky; evaluation of natural sprays for control of economically important foliar and fruit diseases of tomato and cucurbits; increasing irrigation water use efficiency in vegetables and small fruits using automated pulsed or microdrip irrigation systems; developing an optimized system for fresh market sweet onion production in Kentucky.